Dwayne Johnson
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW LIVE-ACTION “MOANA” IN DEVELOPMENT
Dwayne Johnson revealed today in a recorded message from Hawaii that a live-action reimagining of Disney Animation’s 2016 hit feature film “Moana” is in development. The announcement was shared by Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger during The Walt Disney Company’s Meeting of Shareholders Webcast.
The new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Executive producers include Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush and Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production. Bush, who was a director and co-writer of Disney’s Oscar®-winning feature “Encanto” and a writer and co-director on Disney’s Oscar®-winning film “Zootopia,” wrote the screenplay for 2016’s “Moana.”
Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.
Johnson, who plans to return to the fictional world to set sail with Moana, said, “I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honour the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.”
Native Hawaiian actor Cravalho, who helped shape Moana in the original film, said the beloved protagonist’s reach is sweeping. “She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho said. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”
Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production (Disney Live Action), said the film would join a successful lineup of live-action adaptations that include 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast,” 2019’s “Aladdin” and the highly anticipated live-action version of “The Little Mermaid,” opening May 26. “It’s still early, but the idea of working with these fantastic partners to tell such a meaningful story on a live-action canvas, particularly as we celebrate 100 years of storytelling at Disney, is thrilling,” said Bailey.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” debuted in theatres on Nov. 23, 2016, grossing nearly $644 million in global box office. The title, which debuted on Disney+ with the streamer’s 2019 launch, is among the top 15 movies streamed in the United States in 2022. The film’s soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, was lauded worldwide. Miranda won a GRAMMY® for best song written for visual media (“How Far I’ll Go”), and an Oscar® nomination for best achievement in music written for motion pictures – original song (“How Far I’ll Go”). In 2021, the “Moana” soundtrack broke a Billboard Soundtrack chart record for the amount of time spent at number one (52 weeks). Additionally, the film was nominated for an Academy Award (best animated feature film of the year), a BAFTA (best animated feature film) and a pair of Golden Globes® (best motion picture – animated and best original song (“How Far I’ll Go”)).
#FIRSTLOOK: DWAYNE JOHNSON TO ATTEND EXCLUSIVE “BLACK ADAM ROCKS CANADA” FAN EVENT
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada has unveiled today additional details about global superstar Dwayne Johnson’s visit to Toronto to celebrate the theatrical release of BLACK ADAM this October.
On October 13, 2022, Johnson will attend ‘BLACK ADAM Rocks Canada’, an exclusive fan event at Cineplex’s The Rec Room in downtown Toronto. The event – which is presented by Audi Canada, Cineplex, and Rogers Sports & Media – will see more than 900 fans enjoy world-exclusive photo opportunities, complimentary food, and a special advance screening. Fans in attendance will also have the chance to win thousands in exclusive prizing including:
-A trip to Los Angeles for a winner and guest (includes airfare, hotel, and tickets to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood) – courtesy of IMAX®
-Annual CineClub Memberships – courtesy of Cineplex
-An evening at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto, including complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea for two
-Lower-bowl tickets to a professional hockey game in Toronto
-Lower-bowl tickets to a professional basketball game in Toronto
-An evening at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, including complimentary cocktails
-BLACK ADAM Under Armor prize packs
-McFarlane Toys prize packs
-Pre-paid credit cards
BLACK ADAM Rocks Canada will be hosted by Mark Strong (Strizzzy) and fans will also enjoy a DJ set from Recording Artist, Producer and the Official DJ of the Toronto Raptors, 4Korners. All attendees will receive exclusive BLACK ADAM swag to showcase their excitement.
Following the event, attendees will March to the Movie, led by Rhythm Works, from Cineplex’s The Rec Room to Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto where they will become among the first in Canada to watch BLACK ADAM, before its theatrical release on October 21.
There are a number of ways for fans to win their way into this exclusive event, details are below:
Beginning September 27, Rogers Sports & Media will offer coast-to-coast viewers of Breakfast Television, and listeners of SONiC (British Columbia), KISS 91.7 (Edmonton), and KISS 105.3 (Ottawa) the chance to win a trip to the event, including airfare and hotel accommodations. KISS 92.5 (Toronto), 100.5 (North Bay), and 102.7 (Kingston) will offer listeners in Ontario the chance to win to tickets to the event.
On a weekly basis, @WarnerBrosCA will surprise and delight select social followers with tickets to the event
@FANEXPOCanada will be giving away tickets on their social media
Cineplex will surprise and delight select CineClub members with tickets to the event
A wide range of local partners in Toronto will be hosting giveaways on their social media pages, including but not limited to: Dead Dog Records, Gotham Central Comics, Club Enhergy, Hairy Tarantula, Kops Records, Manic Coffee, See-Scape, Silver Snail, Storm Crow Manor, The Dock Ellis, The Grand Order of Divine Sweets.
#FIRSTLOOK: DWAYNE JOHNSON TO VISIT TORONTO FOR CANADIAN PREMIERE OF BLACK ADAM
It doesn’t get any bigger than this! Dwayne THE ROCK Johnson is set to visit Toronto for the Canadian Premiere of BLACK ADAM this October!
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada announced today that global superstar Dwayne Johnson will visit Toronto this October to celebrate the release of his upcoming DC film, BLACK ADAM. Johnson revealed via a special video message that ‘The Rock will return to Toronto, his home away from home’ later this year to share BLACK ADAM with Canadians in advance of the film’s theatrical release on October 21, 2022.
News of Johnson’s return to Toronto was first shared by FAN EXPO Canada as part of an exclusive partnership to thank and surprise die-hard Canadian pop culture fans that attended this year’s massive convention. Additional details of Johnson’s monumental visit will be revealed in the coming weeks by Warner Bros. Pictures Canada. Fans are encouraged to follow @WarnerBrosCA and @FANEXPOCanada on social media for details on how they can join Dwayne Johnson at this electrifying event.
See the Announcement:
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “BLACK ADAM” FROM SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON
Dwayne Johnson stars in BLACK ADAM which just got. new Trailer unveil at San Diego Comic-Con!
Synopsis:
The world needed a hero, it got #BlackAdam.
From New Line Cinema, Dwayne Johnson stars in the action adventure “Black Adam.” The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”).
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill,” “One Night in Miami”) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (“Sex/Life,” “Rush Hour 3”) as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Mummy”) as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell (“Voyagers,” “Trinkets”) as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui (“A Million Little Things”) as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan (the “Mamma Mia!” and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.
Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, screen story by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, based on characters from DC. Black Adam was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. The film’s producers were Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia, with Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Eric McLeod, Geoff Johns and Scott Sheldon.
“Black Adam” smashes into theatres and IMAX internationally beginning 19 October 2022 and in North America on October 21, 2022. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
#FIRSTLOOK: “DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS” TRAILER
This is the movie we didn’t know we needed! Check-out this new Trailer for DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS!
Synopsis:
Dwayne Johnson stars as the voice of Krypto the Super-Dog in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure feature film “DC League of Super-Pets,” from director Jared Stern.
The film also stars the voices of Kevin Hart (the “Jumanji” and “Secret Life of Pets” films), Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live,” the “Magic School Bus Rides Again” films, “Ferdinand”), John Krasinski (the “Quiet Place” films, “Free Guy”), Vanessa Bayer (“Saturday Night Live,” “Office Christmas Party,” “Trainwreck”), Natasha Lyonne (“Show Dogs,” “Ballmastrz 9009”), Diego Luna (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Maya and the Three”), Marc Maron (“Joker,” “GLOW”), Thomas Middleditch (“Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie”), Ben Schwartz (“Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Duck Tales”), and Keanu Reeves (the “Matrix” and “John Wick” films).
In “DC League of Super-Pets,” Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release DC League of Super Pets May 20, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO SEE “RED NOTICE” IN TORONTO
Netflix Canada and Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Passes to see RED NOTICE starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot! The Film opens November 4, 2021 at Paradise Theatre in Toronto. You can see the Movie any time during its run here. You and your guest also will receive complimentary popcorn!
Synopsis:
When an Interpol-issued Red Notice — the highest level warrant to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted— goes out, the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) is on the case. His global pursuit finds him smack dab in the middle of a daring heist where he’s forced to partner with the world’s greatest art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) in order to catch the world’s most wanted art thief, “The Bishop” (Gal Gadot). The high-flying adventure that ensues takes the trio around the world, across the dance floor, trapped in a secluded prison, into the jungle and, worst of all for them, constantly into each other’s company. The all star cast is joined by Ritu Arya and Chris Diamantopoulos. Directed and written by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, Skyscraper) and produced by Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions, Beau Flynn’s Flynn Picture Co. and Thurber’s Bad Version, Inc., Red Notice is a stylish globe-trotting game of cat-and-mouse (and cat).
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK! Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for another chance.
Enter for a chance to #win Passes to see #RedNotice in Toronto with complimentary popcorn!https://t.co/gOdRwnwaLs pic.twitter.com/yteYSvZasq
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) November 3, 2021
Rules and regulations here.
NOTE: Winners will be reached only from our official Facebook account. Do not accept friend requests from others asking you to provide them personal information.
| RED NOTICE is in select theaters starting November 4, 2021. Coming to Netflix on November 12, 2021. |
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “RED NOTICE”
We get a new Poster and official Trailer for RED NOTICE! The Action flick coming to Netflix, stars Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot and Dwayne Johnson!
Synopsis:
When an Interpol-issued Red Notice — the highest level warrant to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted— goes out, the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) is on the case. His global pursuit finds him smack dab in the middle of a daring heist where he’s forced to partner with the world’s greatest art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) in order to catch the world’s most wanted art thief, “The Bishop” (Gal Gadot). The high-flying adventure that ensues takes the trio around the world, across the dance floor, trapped in a secluded prison, into the jungle and, worst of all for them, constantly into each other’s company. The all star cast is joined by Ritu Arya and Chris Diamantopolous. Directed and written by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, Skyscraper) and produced by Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions, Beau Flynn’s Flynn Picture Co. and Thurber’s Bad Version, Inc., Red Notice is a stylish globe-trotting game of cat-and-mouse (and cat).
RED NOTICE arrives on Netflix November 12, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
#INTERVIEW: DISNEY’S “JUNGLE CRUISE”
We welcome a return to big Blockbusters this Summer as our theatres re-open once again. Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE is a must-watch for many. Our patience finally has paid off as it arrives later this week in theatres and at home!
The nostalgic Action-Fantasy-Romance directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, The Shallows), is inspired by the iconic Disneyland ride, taking us on an expedition through the Amazon jungle with Lily (Emily Blunt), who is an adventurous explorer on a mission to find the Tear of the Moon, which is said to have great healing powers, and Frank (Dwayne Johnson), a charming riverboat captain. Despite their differences, these two find themselves forming an unlikely bond as they fight to escape some deadly obstacles.
We had the joy of partaking in the global Press Conference for Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE and joining us were stars:
Emily Blunt – Lily
Dwayne Johnson – Frank
Édgar Ramirez – Aguirre
Jack Whitehall – MacGregor
One of the most remarkable things about the Film is the warm chemistry shared by its leads Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Blunt: I knew when we met we had this immediate rapport when we went back and forth so quickly and I knew we’d have a good time.
Johnson: It’s true and then you hope to get lucky and you like your Cast and you hope to have some chemistry. Emily and I have been talking a lot about chemistry these past couple weeks doing Press. And a lot of times you fake it because you’re acting.
Blunt: He’s been faking it for years!
Johnson: And I continue to fake it too, especially with us! (laughs)
Johnson said ‘yes’ immediately to the project, whereas Blunt notoriously ‘ghosted’ him after approaching her with a video proposal, really needing time to evaluate the Script before signing aboard. She chalks her approach to British manners. Johnson tells us what drew him most to the project, on which he served also as an Executive Producer.
Johnson: Well, the Script was in a really good place and I immediately saw the potential of the opportunity and that opportunity was to take an iconic and beloved Disney ride since 1955 when the theme park opened, this was Walt Disney‘s baby. And there were a lot of elements I felt comfortable saying ‘Yes, I will come onboard and I will partner with you and develop this thing’, and our next job was finding our Director and finding my Co-Star – the female Indiana Jones over here, which she hates because it’s setting her up and too much pressure!
Édgar Ramirez stars as misunderstood villain Aguirre in this his first Disney movie. Without spoilers, he dons an iconic look.
Ramirez: I was just happy those snakes weren’t near me anywhere in the shoot because I’m afraid of snakes. We shot in real locations and dressed them to look like the Amazon. I come from an Amazonian country and saw the Movie for the first time two days ago at the Premiere and guys, I’m so happy! You guys were incredible!
Blunt: You were this operatic bad guy, I loved it! And when we were shooting, you were like, ‘My mother’s gonna be so upset!’.
Ramirez: And she was! She’s super-afraid of snakes. She said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me? Like I missed half of your performance because I couldn’t look at you because of the snakes!’. But I’m happy my mother was super-scared!
To be in a movie that is based on the most iconic attraction for the most iconic entertainment universe in history such as Disney is so special. And to be with these amazing people, it’s so incredible.
That tone to be witty, romantic, funny and snide but cute at the same time, that is very difficult. We as Actors know that tone is very difficult to achieve and you guys killed it!
The Cast are asked about their most challenging stunts in the Film which has more than a few hold-your-breath moments.
Blunt: The rope-vine swing. For me it was most challenging because he would not let me get one straight take in. He pushed it so far every time to make me laugh on that vine-swing so we shot that all day. We didn’t get one straight take.
Johnson: It was that heroic vine-swing that you think the hero grabs the lady and takes off and goes to save the day. And of course it goes to hell because I don’t save the day!
Blunt: Every time I was just, ‘Tell me what you’re going to say this time just so I can be prepared’ and every time he’d throw in some awful improv that would make me laugh. I don’t know how many times we must have shot that!
Johnson: For me personally, a lot of the action with the Conquistadors, Edgar and his partners that was pretty challenging. Because these guys were dressed how they were dressed in their costumes and also fighting men who can’t die. Oh! I just ruined the Movie for you! (laughs) So they fight in a different way, with a confidence.
Jack Whitehall is full of witty one-liners in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, as Lily‘s brother MacGregor. Would you believe he had one line in Frozen, which got cut entirely?
Whitehall: Post the Frozen experience, I felt this was just a case of throwing enough stuff at the wall and something sticking because I was just desperate not to be cut from a movie. (laughs) The fact that there’s a single line in there is an improvement on the Frozen debacle and I’m so excited to actually have a speaking part in a Disney movie.
The Script was amazing, but we were given the space to improvise and add stuff to it. And these two created this environment where we were able to do that. It felt like such a safe space. There are probably a few jokes that ended-up on the cutting room floor for the right reasons. Some of the great moments that you see are genuine moments that we came up with in the Movie. And Jaume was so good at encouraging that as well.
Blunt is asked if she is closer in real life to another iconic Disney character she’s played, Mary Poppins or Lily?
Blunt: I’m probably a little closer to Lily. I feel like Lily’s sorta more of a mess. Poppins is so pulled-together and perfected and I don’t feel I walk through life that way, so I’d say Lily.
I’m organized but I feel like it’s a juggle. I feel I’m really organized with time and planning but I feel like plans always go slightly… yes, it is a juggle and a balance.
The Cast are asked what it is like to revitalize something so iconic for a new generation.
Blunt: It has been immensely rewarding. To what Edgar was talking about, we really needed tonally to strike a chord that was really well-crafted, and that we curated with so much love and that it was made in the spirit of the films we all grew-up watching. I mainlined those movies into my veins, I just loved Indiana Jones, Romancing the Stone and African Queen. They are just joy-bombs and nostalgic. I think we just needed to pierce people’s hearts directly with the spirit of those films we all loved as children and it just took a lot of tempering and beautiful conducing from Jaume who was just extraordinarily free-spirited with us in this massive spectacle of a movie. He’s such a world builder.
When we both met Jaume, we both asked him the same question, ‘So what do you feel this movie is about?’ and I always ask that when I sign-on because I want to know what the movie’s about. And he goes, “You know, it’s about love”. And it was so perfect because you could’ve talked about all the action and the spectacle, the legends and all that, but that’s when I knew in Jaume that we had an innate romantic and a world-builder. And that’s what you need for this type of movie.
Walt Disney Studios Canada release JUNGLE CRUISE Friday, July 30, 2021 in theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ADVANCE SCREENING PASSES TO SEE DISNEY’S “JUNGLE CRUISE”
Walt Disney Studios Canada and Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see Disney‘s JUNGLE CRUISE! We will have tickets available in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton for the screening on July 28, 2021.
Synopsis:
Join fan favourites Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt for the adventure of a lifetime on Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” a rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!
Enter for a chance to #win Advance Screening Passes to see Disney’s #JungleCruise in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton!
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) July 15, 2021
How: https://t.co/u4JQMxsTPB pic.twitter.com/BZThXbZhYm